Intel officials refuse to answer questions on Trump and Russia

Raquel Erickson |Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Eric Trump: We have no dealings, no projects with Russia

"In the three-plus years that I have been director of the National Security Agency, I have never been directed to do anything I believe to be illegal, immoral, unethical or inappropriate", echoed Rogers. "I do not recall feeling pressured to do so". Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe spent much of the hearing explaining the different reasons they wouldn't answer questions.

Sen. King pressed Coats and Rogers whether the president asked them to influence former FBI Director James Comey or curtail his FBI investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn or potential collusion with Russian officials interfering with the US election.

It was earlier reported that Trump had asked Coats to press "James Comey, the then Federal Bureau of Investigation director, to back off from focussing on his former national security advisor Michael Flynn".

The hearing Wednesday came amid persistent reports that Trump asked Coats, Rogers, Comey and possibly other top intelligence and justice officials to help shield former national security advisor Michael Flynn, which potentially could lead to obstruction of justice charges against the USA president.

Rogers refused to discuss the specifics of any conversations he had with Trump, and he refused to tell lawmakers whether presidents typically asked questions about ongoing FBI investigations.

"The chair is going to exercise its right to allow the witnesses to answer the question, and committee is on notice to provide witnesses the courtesy, which has not been extended all the way across", Burr said. King. "I don't think this is the appropriate venue to do this in".

Two days earlier, Comey had confirmed in a congressional hearing that the bureau was investigating whether Trump's campaign coordinated with Russian Federation during the 2016 presidential race. But unlike Comey, they refused to offer any details about their personal dealings with President Trump.

Republicans and Democrats on the panel examined and cross-examined the group - picking over their answers repeatedly.

"Are you prepared to say you have never been asked by the president or the White House to influence an ongoing investigation?" Sen.

Coats was responding to a senator's question about whether Trump pressured him to publicly downplay the significance of the FBI's investigation into Russia's election meddling and possible coordination with the Trump campaign.

McCabe said it would be inappropriate to discuss issues that might end up being part of the special counsel's investigation into Russian activities during the election.

John McCain and Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr both spoke up to tell her to give the witnesses a chance to answer her questions.

In an interview on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" following the hearing, Republican Sen.

Senators and witnesses also spent considerable time discussing the stated goal of the hearing, reauthorization of a key surveillance law known as Section 702. The targets were foreigners, but the data of many Americans was also being captured.

Officials say Trump's advisers have since revived their proposal to appoint Feinberg to a senior position, possibly to review the roles of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other intelligence agencies.

If the provision expires, it would cause huge problems for the intelligence agencies that rely on it to hunt terrorists and spy on China and Russian Federation, the intelligence officials told lawmakers.

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